Posted on 10/05/2010 8:13:46 AM PDT by Bogeygolfer
Yesterday, I recieved a disturbing email from the Rick Steves organization. I've used them over the years for travel info to Europe and have found them useful however very one dimensional. His focus is strictly on the sprint through Europe itineraries but nevertheless helpful. Yesterday he used his business email contacts to send out a condescending bit of trash in support of the CA Marijuana initiative. Europe knows they have it figured out better than us and we need to pay attention and model our laws etc after theirs. Regardless of the specific issue, I just find it wrong to use a business email distribution for personal political positions and I was offended at the condescension. He's very concerned the public is simply not smart enough and will be swayed by the lies put out in the coming weeks. There are so many amazing sources these days that thankfully I don't need to rely on his business.
Now we know what he’s been doing off-camera while PBS pays for him to go traipsing around Europe.
I always thought of him as a twit who is laughed at behind his back by the locals wherever he is going. His shows are informative to an extent but he comes off as naive yet condescending.
I cancelled TV a year ago because it is total trash and all the 6 networks that own 99% of the channels supports Islam, the Victory Mosque, Obama because of deals with Saudi Arabia and shareholding etc.
When I had TV - my gaydar went off with this guy. Rick should stick to doing travel shows. The only good one was the Italian guy who drove around Italy in his Alfa Romeo convertible telling stories.
Something about Mario travels Italy tip to toe.
“Shut up and travelogue”?
That is an outright farce. I’m amazed that I was so unaware re his mental state. I knew he somewhat off a bit but had no idea how far gone he is. He firmly believes Europe has it all figured out and we need to fall in line.
One always needs to be wary of folks with two first names.
I always get the impression that he thinks everyone in the world wants to travel living out of a duffel bag, like a college student.
Rick is an overgrown hippie and his head is frozen in 1971.
Why would I want to travel and stay in a place that is NOT eat least as clean or nice as my own home?
I wouldn’t go thousands of miles to eat bad food and stay in nasty hotels.
That’s more or less where he turns me off. In every one of his books, he lists and reviews the lower end of hotels and uses terms like ‘the real Europe’. The condescension is just too much.
Lutheran related. Steves is an ELCAn that has arranged numerous “Luther” tours of Germany over the years. His “travel” agency advertises heavily in ELCA publications.
Disclosure: I enjoy his shows and never had a tinge of “gaydar” with him (although, his wifey ain’t the prettiest thing on PBS).
He also sent out an email mocking the terror alert in Europe, saying people should not visit the U.S. because “500 people a week are killed by gun violence here.”
I think this was posted on FR.
You're kidding, right? He's the GAYEST person on TV. Did you see the show he did on the Burgundy region of France? On wine tasting?
He said the following: "So, a person can enjoy a nice finish whether they spit or swallow?"
I kid you not... those were his exact words.. I just about fell out of my chair laughing.
I go to Europe quite alot, and I enjoy his shows.. but, he's a Fruit Loop!
Rick is wonderful as far as travel hints and tips. The reason he’s so “euro-centric” is that he decided that’s where his specialty lies. In his early years, his dad used to sell pianos, and they would travel to Europe to visit the manufacturers. That’s how he learned his love for Europe. In the realm of “European travel guru”, he’s had great success and has made a ton of money (American Dream, don’tchaknow). Also, one thing many may not know... because of his father’s profession, he’s also an accomplished pianist.
However, he has also LONG championed the cause of legalized marijuana. He is a board member of NORML, and has spoken for the last couple of years at Seattle’s HempFest. It almost goes without saying that he’s a staunch Dem and liberal. He has long said that the use of marijuana is rampant...especially among people we’re familiar with but would never suspect. Celebrities, to be sure, but also governmental and civic leaders (and he won’t name names, of course). I think his reasoning goes along the lines of “Since so many are doing it anyway, why not just take the stigma off and make it legal?”.
No, just because Steves advocates the sane position of re-legalizing marijuana and ending the failed 73-year experiment of prohibition doesn't necessarily make him a Leftist.
Never heard of him, but then I don’t “do” ELCA publications any longer. I wonder if my 2nd cousin, an ELCA pastor who toured Luther spots in Germany this Summer, used his advice, itineraries...?
I saw on Facebook that he was an advocate at a NORML rally. What a disappointment! He’s an interesting travel guide, whom I’ve watched for years, but his views on pot are way out of bounds. He needs to watch “Locked Up Abroad” and make sure he is pot-free when he is traveling.
I’ve enjoy watching his travel shows for yrs, but it’s getting harder & harder to ignore his politics, which makes watching his shows less enjoyable.
Too bad.
I wouldn’t not use his services simply because of his personal beliefs on pot. What gets to me is his use of his business contacts to influence my vote. That and I’ve always been a bit annoyed by his somewhat snide or condescending remarks towards those who don’t travel like a student. I take my family and prefer hotels a bit nicer than he recommends but I’m still experiencing the ‘real Europe’. This episode just brought out my full sentiments I guess and since reading some of what was referred to here, I’m done. His little piece re the travel alert was a bit over the top. I love Europe as well and hope to continue being able to show it to my kids. Just without Rick Steves.
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